A Lee County sheriff’s deputy received the Florida’s Finest Award on the Senate floor after rescuing three teenage girls caught in a Gulf Coast rip current earlier this year.
Deputy Raymond Tellez Ferriol was patrolling the shoreline in May when calls came in reporting that three young swimmers were struggling yards off the beach. Tellez Ferriol took flotation equipment into the water, reached the teens, and brought all three back to land without serious injury.
“A fun day at the beach almost turned tragic, but thanks to Deputy Raymond Tellez Ferriol’s courage and quick thinking, three young girls made it home safely to their families,” said Sen. Ashley Moody during the presentation. “It was an honor to recognize his brave actions on the Senate Floor and present him with a Florida’s Finest Award.”
Moody presents the award to recognize law enforcement officers and local residents whose actions directly save lives.
The rescue comes amid ongoing warnings about surf hazards across the state. Florida has recorded eight confirmed rip current fatalities since the start of 2026, including a victim as young as 17.
Water safety officials urge beach visitors to check surf forecasts before entering the water, swim near active lifeguard stations, and always swim with a partner. Swimmers caught in a rip current should remain calm and avoid swimming directly against the flow.
Experts advise swimming parallel to the coast until clear of the channel before heading back to shore, or floating, facing the beach, and waving for help if unable to escape the pull.
READ: Fatal Central Florida Gator Attack Prompts Push For Review Of Federal Wildlife Rules
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